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Eagles Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio Praises CJ Gardner-Johnson, Highlights Key Players and Preseason Plans
Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio provided a wealth of insights during his latest press conference, emphasizing the return of safety CJ Gardner-Johnson, the progress of defensive tackle Milton Williams, and the potential for defensive starters to play in the preseason.
Fangio, reflecting on his attendance at the Hall of Fame ceremony for former NFL linebacker Patrick Willis, also took a moment to congratulate Eagles play-by-play announcer Merrill Reese on his recent honor. Fangio quipped, “I think that officially puts him up there with the all-time greats of Philly. Like By Saam, Bill Campbell, Harry Kalas, and in a different form, Dave Zinkoff.”
When discussing Gardner-Johnson, Fangio expressed strong approval of the safety’s performance since joining the Eagles. “I think he'll be good. He's had a good camp so far. The good thing about what he's been doing so far, and I told him this, there has been a day or two where he wasn't even noticeable, and that's a good thing because he didn't have action come his way in the limited reps he had,” Fangio explained. This comment underscores the stability Gardner-Johnson brings to the secondary, which Fangio views as a positive sign of his readiness and consistency.
Turning to the defensive line, Fangio spoke highly of Milton Williams, praising his versatility and steady performance. “Yeah, I like Milt. Milt is a good player. He’s solid, both versus the run and in pass rush. He's a guy that from afar I've liked that the Eagles have had. In fact, I tried to get us to trade for him last year in Miami, but Howie [Roseman] wouldn't do it. But I like Milt. Milt is a pro,” Fangio said.
A topic of significant interest was the possibility of Eagles defensive starters seeing preseason action, a practice that has evolved in the NFL with many teams opting to rest starters entirely. Fangio shared his perspective, stating, “I do think it's good that guys get to play some in the pre-season. Even the best players I've been around, they want to play, and they don't want their first play of the year to be a regular season game. They want to get out there and feel it.” This comment indicates a likely shift towards seeing key players get valuable game reps ahead of the regular season, providing an opportunity to fine-tune the defense.
Fangio also touched on the corner and inside linebacker competitions, noting the ongoing evaluations and healthy competition among players. “We have not come to any conclusions anywhere. We still have three pre-season games and a lot of time, but the competition has been good. I see guys improving. It's a good, healthy competition,” he said.
The defensive coordinator also gave insights into the progress of other players, including linebackers Nakobe Dean and Jeremiah Trotter Jr., as well as the defensive line rotation and the development of outside linebacker Jalyx Hunt.
Overall, Fangio's remarks highlighted a balance of optimism and realism as the Eagles' defense continues to evolve during training camp, setting the stage for what promises to be an exciting preseason and regular season.
Stay tuned for more updates as the Eagles' training camp progresses. #FlyEaglesFly #Eagles #TrainingCamp #NFLPreseason #CJGardnerJohnson #MiltonWilliams #VicFangio #PhiladelphiaEagles #NFLNews #EaglesDefense #FootballSeason
